Craftsman House Design Ideas

Craftsman House Design Ideas

modern artisanal houses

The artisan house is celebrated for its attention to craftsmanship details typically found in small and economical bungalow style homes. It’s the charming kind of place that makes you feel at home even before you step in.

A real craftsman’s house is one that exudes personality in every way and entices you to sit on the stone stairs for a while while admiring the idyllic architectural details. But what does it really take to build a craftsman’s house? Here, let our designers at Décor Aid introduce you to the most important elements of a craftsman’s house.

Art and sculptures

Craftsman style houses handicrafts

What is a craftsman house? Craftsman houses are houses that first appeared in the late 19th century and remained popular until the beginning of the 20th century with the advent of the Arts & Crafts movement.

One of the most important elements of a craft house is handicrafts. An artisan style home refers to a home built according to American Arts & Crafts principles. These include chalets and bungalows as well as Tudor-style houses and houses with bungalow-style details.

Built from natural materials

traditional craftsman house

A craftsman’s house is usually built from real wood, stone, brick, and other natural materials. Everything about its exterior design expresses natural beauty. Because of this, most of the artisan-style houses are ecologically sound.

With a smaller footprint and interior space unlike most modern homes today, a craftsman’s house tends to use fewer resources to build and also use less energy to maintain. If you’re looking to build a home in an environmentally friendly way, a craftsman-style home is a great option.

Built-in furniture and lights

Craftsman home furniture

Built-in furniture has been part of domestic architecture for many years, but it wasn’t until the Arts & Crafts movement that it reached its full potential. Built-in fittings are an important element of a craftsman’s home and are one of the reasons these bungalow-style houses, although on the small side, appear to be “largely alive”.

Built-in furniture and lighting fixtures are common in artisanal homes as they have low roofs that allow them to accommodate all kinds of amenities in a small space.

stack

Craftsman house ideas

The fireplace is often the focus of a craftsman’s house. Most of the time, these fireplaces are flanked by built-ins such as cabinets, bookcases, etc. Our designers recommend playing the entire wall by the fireplace to make it stand out.

In fact, most artisan style homes today have a large fireplace, which is often the main selling point for those who live in areas with severe winters. These large fireplaces usually span two stories and make a great impression while highlighting the natural elements of an artisan home.

Porches with pillars

Craftsman's porch ideas

Another handwriting of the artisan house is a porch with pillars that brace the front steps of the house and at the same time support the roof from the porch. These covered verandas also make it easier for families to chat with neighbors.

The pillars of an artisanal design style porch are usually square, and although they look like they protrude straight into the ground, these pillars are usually half as high and rest on plinths clad in stucco or stone. Its shape distinguishes a craftsman’s house from bungalow-style houses.

Low roofs

Craftsman house roof

One of the most distinctive features of a craftsman’s house is a low roofline, usually installed in a hip or gable style. The low roof can also have wide-open eaves that protrude from the front facade and usually contain a spacious veranda.

The rafter tails remain free and for this reason the gutters cannot be installed. There are also decorative brackets and beams under the gables.

Exposed rays

Craftsman house style

Exposed beams or rafters are common in Craftsman-style homes, both inside and outside the home. The best thing about exposed rays is that they can help make the room appear larger.

They also help make the attic look even cozier and add an old world charm to the space that a craft house can easily channel. Regardless of the purpose they serve, an exposed beam is a great way to add a touch of rusticity to an artisan style home.

Open floor plan

Craftsman's house open floor plan

Open floor plans come from craft houses and are widely used today. These plans ensure a better flow of traffic and make the room look more spacious than it actually is. In a craftsman-style house, the spaces are usually open.

Life usually revolves around the living room, kitchen, and dining area. The master suite is often at one end of the house and the other bedrooms are at the other end.

Wide, overhanging eaves

Craftsman house architecture

Overhanging eaves are one of the most common features of a craft house. There are many ways that the overhanging eaves are built in a home. However, on most craft-style homes, the eaves are usually made of natural stone or other natural materials that are coordinated with the exterior.

Historically, wide overhanging eaves serve an important function, especially for those who live in humid areas of the country. The eaves help keep the water off the walls and foundation of the house.

Double hanging windows

Craftsman's house window

Most artisan-style houses have double-hanging windows with separate panes of glass made of glass on both the bottom and top. These windows are also common in most historic homes. These windows not only look stylish, they are also functional.

Since both panes slide up and down, you can achieve optimal ventilation if necessary. In contrast to other window types, double-hanging windows neither crank out nor protrude outwards. This minimizes the risk of accidents, especially in heavily frequented areas such as patios, decks and sidewalks.

Individual, protruding dormers

Craftsman dormers

A dormer is a ledge that protrudes from a pitched roof and usually comes with its own mini-roof. The dormer window not only improves the appearance of a house, it also creates additional space and headroom.

A craftsman style house usually has single, protruding dormers. These dormers, also known as shed dormers, are horizontally proportioned and cover a large portion of the roof while opening up the attic for more floor space.

Corners and window seats

Craftsman's bay window

Houses in the artisanal design style are equipped with corners and window seats. This is also a way to maximize the space in the house. Since most craft houses have extra large windows, homeowners can take advantage of this by creating window seats that can also double as a reading nook.

These corners are usually cozy and comfortable, especially when a thick pillow is placed on them. The large windows also let in plenty of natural light and at the same time offer a beautiful view of the outside.

Built-in memory

Craftsman's house built-in furniture

Another clever way to maximize the space of a craftsperson’s home is with built-in storage space. Corners are one of the most overlooked areas in a craft house, but smart homeowners can take advantage of this small area by adding a built-in storage unit. You can install ready-to-use built-in storage in one corner of your house to store toys, books, and other infrequently used items.

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